A Lyme Regis student took to the pedals to raise funds and awareness for a local charity.

St Michael's Primary School student, Jai Hayden, cycled from his home in Charmouth to school in Lyme Regis and back every day for The Word Forest Organisation.

Jai, aged 11, participated in the award scheme which has the backing of legendary explorer, Sir Ranulph Fiennes, which took place from July, 9 until July, 13.

The scheme challenged the children to complete a series of activities including an expedition, a charity event for a charity of their choice, a week of sport, an eco-activity to help the local community and to also present a talk to their fellow classmates.

The challenge included cycling on hot days too and from school up and down some big hills.

Jai said: "Cycling to school has been a bit hard, and wasn't always fun.

"It's gone well so far, some days were cooler, but when it was warmer, it was really horrible."

Speaking on her son's efforts, Jai's mum, Jo, said: "It went really, really well."

Jai chose to support The Word Forest Organisation, a Lyme Regis based charity that plants trees, builds classrooms and facilitates education in impoverished communities in Kenya.

After a meeting with charity CEO, Tracey West, Jai was shocked to see the photos and videos from their recent monitoring and evaluation trips to visit their projects.

Jai discovered some of the youngsters in their community walk five miles or more simply to get to school.

They'll frequently walk similar distances in temperatures nearing 30 degrees, to source water in containers that they carry home on their heads.

One example lies in Kundeni Primary School, which has 610 students.

It was the first school where Word Forest helped to construct solid stone classrooms, as well as 13 mattresses for the students that sleep at the school, although a further 37 are required. Tracey West, CEO of the charity, said: "The trustees and I were blown away by Jai's desire to make a positive difference to the lives of children his age in Kenya.

"This is a big physical challenge and his commitment to raising money and awareness will undoubtedly win him the award, and it'll leave a legacy in Africa too."

so far, Jai has raised more than £700, which will contribute to many amazing projects via the Word Forest, which include planting trees that help humans, wildlife, biodiversity and the wider world by mitigating the effects of climate change, buying a few building materials for the next classroom they build, probably at neighbouring Kadunguni Primary School, and buy a few vital school supplies.

Jai said: "Originally I wanted to raise £150 but mum suggested I put it to £200.

"When we got to £500 I was like wow, and now we are at £700, I'm amazed."

To donate to Jai's challenge, you can visit wonderful.org/fundraiser/jaiscycletoschoolchallenge-b44edbed